BEST%III%'%Working%document% !

Remark: This document gathers information from the list of references previously validated for the island. It is a working document that will be implemented following your comments and corrections. It will be used as a guide during the consultation process that will involve local governments, institutions and organizations.

The objectives are to identify and map Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in order to define conservation outcomes. KBAs are defined at 3 ecological levels: (1) , including: globally threatened species, restricted-range species, and species gathering in important number during their life cycle; (2) sites: habitats that are home to the species previously identified; habitats and ecosystems that play important ecological processes and contribute to the persistence of biodiversity ; (3) ecological corridors: inter-connected landscapes of sites.

Regarding the information and references cited hereafter, a list of "potential KBAs" is proposed in App.2. This is a working process that will be validated through the consultation of local actors.

Ecosystem profile Draft - Aruba

IBAs, RAMSAR site and Parke Nacional Arikok in Aruba

Policy and Socioeconomic context

! Political Status

- Aruba lies off the north-west coast of Venezuela and is the westernmost of the 3 Dutch islands (c.80km from Curacao). Curacao, Aruba and Bonaire (also called the ABC islands) form the Leeward Islands of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Aruba is the nearest Dutch island to mainland Venezuela and is located 27km north from Paraguaná peninsula. The maximum depth between Aruba and the Venezuelan coast does not exceed 135 m, whereas BC islands are separated from South American mainland by a deep water trench (c. 1000m).

- Since January 1986, Aruba became an independent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. St Maarten and Curaçao followed in October 10th 2010. This island is a European Oversea Country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

! Demographic Trends and Socio-economic context (Central Bureau of Statistics) - Area: 193 km² (Mount Jamanota, 188m) - EEZ: 25,287 km², EEZ of the ABC Islands: 68,873 km² - Population (2014): 107,394 inhabitants, density: 556 inhabitants /km² - GDP (US$/ inhabitant): 25,300 (2011) - Aruba is one of the richest countries in the Caribbean.

1! ! BEST%III%'%Working%document% ! - Main economic activities: oil refining and trans-shipment facilities; off-shore financial services; tourism, with associated services and construction industries.

Protected and/or managed areas (References: DCNA 2012a) ! List of protected areas - Parke Nacional Arikok (created in 2000 over 3,400 ha) is managed by Fundacion Parke Nacional Arikok. This land area covers about 18% of the island, includes Mount Jamanota (highest peak, 188m) and significant areas of cactus scrub. There is 15 privately owned plots of land within the Park.

- In Aruba’s Zoning policy document of 2009 four marine areas were indicated to be managed as marine protected areas (Ruimtelijk Ontwikkelingsplan Aruba - Planbeschrijving 2009). These 4 marine areas gather important coral reefs and seagrass beds: coastal and marine area contiguous to Parke Nacional Arikok, coral reefs close to Oranjestad, "Eastern Cape" Sero Colorado and Mangel Halto-Isla di Oro. For now, there is no marine park officially created.

- The Aruba Marine Park Foundation, a citizen organization, has been created in 2010 to ensure the sustainable use of marine resources and to strengthen the protection of the marine environment and wildlife through the creation of a marine park. For now, this local NGO has not a specified area to manage according to the Nature conservation ordinancy.

- Aruba’s Zoning policy mapped the eastern side of the island as natural contiguous areas ("natuurgebied", Ruimtelijk Ontwikkelingsplan Aruba - Planbeschrijving 2009). Amandine 9/1/2015 10:04 AM Comment [1]: is!the!project!of!"Linear!Park"! included!within!these!natural!areas!?! Unknown Formatted: Font:(Default) Arial, 10 pt, Font color: Background 1

- Establishment in 2015 of "Yarari" marine mammal and shark sanctuary that encompasses the EEZ of Saba and Bonaire (Dutch Caribbean Nature Policy Plan 2013-2017, Project "Save our sharks", Debrot et al. 2011). Yarari Sanctuary will form part of the network of marine mammal sanctuaries in the region, with Agoa Sanctuary in the French EEZ, Silver Banks Sanctuary in the Dominican Republic and Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary in the northern USA.

On-going projects - Projects under study - Designation of a Marine Park in Aruba. Directorate of Nature and Environment has and will continue to advise the government of Aruba on the establishment of a Marine Park (Gisbert Boekhoudt, Robert Kock, pers. com. 2015).

2! ! BEST%III%'%Working%document% ! - Design (2010) and implementation of Linear Park phase one (2011). A park development connecting urban, recreational/ natural and tourism entities together using local vegetation and cultural design, Amandine 9/1/2015 10:04 AM improving a healthy lifestyle (Gisbert Boekhoudt, Robert Kock, pers. com. 2015). Comment [2]: This!is!a!project!to!extend! terrestrial!protected!areas!besides!PNA!,!correct!?!If! International recognition of natural habitats and wildlife so!can!you!locate!it!on!the!map!?!! - 1 area listed as RAMSAR site (70 ha): Spaans Lagoen. A bill has been drafted in order to ratify Spaans Lagoen as a RAMSAR site. - 4 Important Areas (IBA) over 611 ha designated by Birdlife International.

Action, management plans & Programs - Management Plan for the natural resources of the EEZ of the Dutch Caribbean (Meesters et al. 2010) - Conservation Action Plan for the Aruba Island rattlesnake - Bat research and Conservation Plan for ABC islands, Bat Conservation Program for Aruba - Policy Plan for Nature and Environment by the Government of Aruba - Multiannual Research and Monitoring Program to support the Nature and Environment Policy (including seabird monitoring, coral reef monitoring, other keystone species monitoring, etc.)

Biological importance of the ecosystems Species outcomes ! List of Taxa assessed as globally threatened (IUCN Red List). List of species are indicated in Appendix 1.

Taxonomic Critically Endangered Vulnerable Total Group endangered Plants 3 Invertebrates - Corals 2 2 5 - Molluscs 1 - Crustaceans 1 Fishes 2 3 15 Sharks and Rays 2 6 (+2 esp. occ.) 1 1 (+1 esp occ.) (1 esp occ.) Mammals - Bats 1 - Marine mammals (1 esp occ.) Total Occ., occasional species

List of species geographically restricted (References: Barendsen et al. 2008, DCNA 2012b, Debrot et al. 2006, Hulsman et al. 2008, Luksenburg 2013, Miller et al. 2003, Nassar and Simal 2014, van Buurt 2006, Gisbert Boekhoudt, Robert Kock, pers. com. 2015)

Taxonomic Number of endemic species group Plants - 3 plant species endemic of Aruba (Melocactus stramineus, Agave arubensis, A.!rutteniae) - 5 plant species endemic to ABC islands (Agave vivipara, Aristida arubensis, Cynanchum boldinghii, Paspalum curassavicus, Melocactus macracanthos)! - at least 7 plant species endemic of ABC islands and the northern Venezuela and Colombia region - several plant subspecies are strictly endemic to Aruba such as Melocactus curvispinus koolwijkianus.

Invertebrates

3! ! BEST%III%'%Working%document% ! - Molluscs - 18 species endemic of Aruba (including 17 marine molluscs) - 9 species endemic of the ABC islands, including the Vulnerable Hieroglyphic Cone (Conus hieroglyphus) - 22 species endemic of ABC islands, northern Venezuela and Columbia region - Arachnids - 2 pseudoscorpions endemic of Aruba (Pseudochthonius arubense, Pachyolpium arubense) and 2 arachnids endemic of ABC islands (Selenops curaçaoe, Rhopalurus hasethi) - Insects - 4 species endemic of Aruba (Epitragus hummelincki, Heterachtes arubae, Urgleptes hummelincki, Meinertellus xerophilus) - 9 species endemic of ABC islands and 3 endemic of ABC islands, northern Venezuela - Crustaceans - 4 species endemic of Aruba (including the VU isopod Arubolana imula) and 1 species endemic of AC islands - Echinoderms - 1 species endemic of ABC, northern Venezuela and Columbia region (Nemaster grandis)

Freshwater - 2 freshwater Molly fishes endemic of ABC, northern Venezuela and Columbia fishes region (Cyprinodon dearborni, Poecilia vandepolli)

Reptiles - 3 species endemic of Aruba (Cnemidophorus arubensis, Phyllodactylus julieni, unicolor) - 1 species endemic of AC islands (Anolis lineatus) - 1 subspecies endemic of Aruba and Venzuela (Leptodeira annulata bakeri)

Birds - 2 subspecies endemic to Aruba: Brown-throated Parakeet (Aratinga pertinax arubensis), Aruban Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia arubensis)

Mammals - 1 bat species restricted to ABC islands-northern Venezuela and Colombia region (Leptonycteris curasoae) - 1 mouse species restricted to ABC islands-northern Venezuela and Colombia region (Calomys hummelincki) - 1 rabbit subspecies restricted to AC islands and northern Venezuela region: (Sylvilagus floridanus nigronuchalis)

! Species aggregations / List of species occurring at key stages of their life-cycles - Seabird species (particularly terns) congregate in high numbers over San Nicolas Bay (IBA) from February till September.

Habitat outcomes

! Terrestrial areas - The National Terrestrial Park is home to several endangered and/or restricted-range species, including: the endemic Aruban Rattlesnake, endangered plant species (Melocactus stramineus, which is also island endemic, Guaiacum sanctum), the endemic plant species Agave arubensis, A. rutteniae, Capparis linearis; and several endemic bird subspecies.

- Ponds and wetlands: - The RAMSAR site of Spaans Lagoen is bordered by mangroves, it is an important site for waterbirds but is not recognized as an IBA. - Mangroves are mostly located along the western and southern side of the island, this ecosystem occur along the islets in the north-western area: Renaissance Island, around Isla di Oro, Savaneta, islet in front of Oranjestad (Aruba’s Zoning policy 2009, Robert Kock, pers. com. 2015). - The restricted-range euryhaline Molly fish Poecilia vandepolli is observed in 3 ponds (Lake Noord, Tanki Sabana and a pond within the Bubali wetland (IBA) (Hulsman et al. 2008). - Bubali wetlands (IBA) are artificial wetlands created to contain water from waste water treatment facility (Del Nevo 2008).

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! Habitats for reptiles (van Buurt 2006, Reinert surveys) - The current distribution of the endemic Aruban Rattlesnake (Crotalus unicolor) is estimated at 76 km² and is mainly associated to dense vegetation. About half of this range is found within Parke Arikok. Persons who find rattlesnake near their home can call park rangers who will release the within the boundaries of the park (van Buurt 2006). - The endemic Aruban Whiptail (Cnemidophorus arubensis) has a general distribution on the island and occurs on San Nicolas islets (IBA) (Del Nevo 2008). - The endemic Anole lizard (Anolis lineatus) and Aruba Leaf-toed Gecko (Phyllodactylus julieni) are generally distributed around the island and occur in the Terrestrial Park and also urban areas (Gisbert Boekhoudt, Robert Kock, pers. com. 2015).

! Coastal areas: sea turtle nesting areas (References: Barmes et al. 1993, Dow et al. 2007, Turtugaruba Foundation nesting activity surveys) - 4 sea turtles nest on Aruba beaches: Hawksbill, Green turtles, and more occasionally the Amandine 8/25/2015 4:09 PM Loggerhead and Leatherback. Comment [3]: The!Foundation!will!confirm! nesting!sites!following!the!analysis!of!data!sets.! - The Hawksbill and the Green turtles are the main species that nest and forage on the island. Main nesting sites are located on the northern and southern part of the island for the Green turtle (California Dunes, Rincon, Dog Cemetery and Baby beach) and in on beach on the eastern side for the Hawksbill (Boca Ketoe?).

! Marine areas - The Aruba Marine Park Foundation aims to protect island's marine environment through the creation of a Marine Park in the south-western part of the island. For now, the Foundation is a local NGO that has no particular area to manage. - Coral reefs occur all around the island and seagrass habitats are mainly present along the northern and south-western coasts. Inter-connectivity between these 2 ecosystems is mostly observed along the northern coast (Structuurnota Natuur en Landscape 1996). - 4 marine areas have been proposed to become Marine Protected Areas, these sites are particularly important due to the connectivity between coral reefs and seagrass beds. It is interesting also to note the proposed MPA located on the eastern coast of Aruba that is contiguous to Arikok Nacional Park (Aruba’s Zoning policy document, Ruimtelijk Ontwikkelingsplan Aruba - Planbeschrijving 2009). - The lagunes between the main island and the reef islands at the South coast have also a lot of seagrass beds. The West coast also has different sites with seagrass beds. Coral reefs can be find on important dive sites, this include the whole South coast and certain parts of the West coasts (the dive sites on the West coasts are more artificial reefs, like ship wrecks) (Robert Kock, pers. com. 2015).

! Important Bird Areas (IBAs) (References: Brown et al. 2009, Del Nevo 2008, 2009, Williams 2012) - Of the 207 bird species recorded on the island, 70 species are residents and 164 migrants (Neotropical migrants, occasional migrants). Some of the bird species are of South American origin. - 4 IBAs are identified (611 ha, including their marine extensions) and represent 3% of the island's land area. The IBAs are located outside the limits of the terrestrial park: 1 IBA is privately owned (on a golf course) and 3 IBAs are state owned. - 11 bird species congregate in high numbers over San Nicolas Bay (IBA) that gather particularly high abundance of Terns (Sandwich Terns, Sooty Terns, Laughin gulls and significant populations of Brown and Black Noddies.

5! ! BEST%III%'%Working%document% ! - The Bare-eyed Pigeon (Patagioenas corensis), considered as a biome-restricted species, mainly occur in the 2 northern IBAs. There is no restricted-range species, but 2 endemic subspecies: the Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia arubensis and Brown-throated Parakeet Aratinga pertinax arubensis. - The restricted range Yellow-shouldered Amazon (Amazona barbadensis) is now extinct on Aruba. The species is still observed on Bonaire and Curacao and a project of reintroduction was considered on Aruba (Williams 2012).

! Areas for mammals - The vulnerable Curaçaoan Long-nosed Bat (Leptonycteris curasoae) is known to occur at 4 sites (c. 1075 specimens): Quadirikiri Cave, Miralamar Mine, Fontein Cave, Tunnel of Love Cave (Baranca Sunu) and Wela Mine are located inside the Arikok National Park, whereas the Lago Colony cave (southern tip of the island) is located outside the park’s protection. The sites Tunnel of Love (island's main breeding site) followed by Miralamar Mine host the largest colony of the species (Nassar and Simal 2014, Daniela Simal, pers. com. 2015). A roost is located in the southern tip of the island, the Lago Colony cave (Daniela Simal, pers. com. 2015). - The regional endemic Hummelinck's Vesper Mouse (Calomys hummelincki) is mostly located on non-urban sites, in areas with high grass coverage (such as along the North coast) (Bekker 1996, Gisbert Boekhoudt, Robert Kock, pers. com. 2015).

! Corridors - ABC Islands are important resting areas for migratory and have a diverse bird community due to the seasonal occurrence of Neotropical migrants as well as the occurrence of South American species. - The dry riverbeds located in scattered areas on the island are important corridors for the Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia arubensis) and Aruban Whiptail Lizard (Cnemidophorus arubensis) (Robert Kock, pers. com. 2015). The Burrowing Owl occurs in general on open habitats (Robert Kock, pers. com. 2015). - A satellite-tracking program of 24 sea turtles breeding on Bonaire revealed wide migrations to coastal waters all over the Caribbean region: ABC islands, Venezuela's coasts, Panama, Nicaragua, Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Rep., Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands (Stapleton et al. 2013). - The tagging of this endangered bat species suggest that specimens move frequently among the 4 caves, which are a few miles apart. The Curaçaoan long-nosed bats on Aruba depend on a system of roosts rather than a single cave (Nassar and Simal 2014). Even if some of these caves are included in the Terrestrial Park, some of these roosts remain unprotected and highly frequented as these sites are considered as tourist attractions (Robert Kock, pers. com. 2015). These results strongly support the need for a system of protected caves on Aruba in the form of a Bat Reserve. - Sighting frequency of humpback whales is lower in the Leeward islands (5% of all marine mammal observations) compared to the Windward islands (45%). Occurrence of the endangered Sperm Whale remains low (Debrot et al. 2011). - Nature Policy Plan of Aruba: development of a nature network to create ecological corridors between habitats. The designation of these ecological corridors is in progress (Robert Kock, pers. com. 2015). - Yarari Sanctuary will form part of the network of marine mammal sanctuaries in the region, with Agoa Sanctuary in the French EEZ, Silver Banks Sanctuary in the Dominican Republic and Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary in the northern USA.

International Treaties and Conventions - Kingdom of the Netherlands - The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) - RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands of International Importance

6! ! BEST%III%'%Working%document% ! - The Cartagena Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region with the SPAW Protocol (concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife) - The Bonn Convention (or the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild (CMS) - CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) - Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles (IAC) - Convention for Migratory Species (CMS 1985), Memorandum of Understanding on the conservation of migratory sharks (MoU Sharks, 2011) - International Convention for the prevention of pollution from ships (MarPol)

Aruba Policy Plans and Policies (Reference: EU Environmental profile 2007) - National Development Plan (2003-2017): main document for the environmental strategy and policy of Aruba. - Nature and Environment Policy (in progress) cf results meeting local gvt 2014, soon report for 2015 - Multiyear plan for development cooperation NL-Aruba 2006-2009 (Fondo Desaroyo Aruba).This plan includes environmental awareness-raising activities - Smart Island Strategy for Aruba (The Government of Aruba, Carbon War Room and the New America Foundation): initiative for the sustainable transition for the island (100% renewable energy, regenerative agriculture sector, improve public health...) - Spatial Development Plan (2009) - Directive Spatial Management Beaches (July 2014) - Specific strategy for sustainable development - Environmental Management Policy (2003) - National Oil Pollution Contingency Plan (1993)

Plans in preparation: - Nature and Environment policy 2015-2019 - Spatial Development Plan 2015 - National Sustainable Tourism Policy - Waste reduction strategy - Coastal Zone Management Plan to identify areas of importance and those requiring protection and conservation

7! ! BEST%III%'%Working%document% ! Socio-economic context , government and civil society with a role in biodiversity

! Government, local institutions and organizations, private sector

ARUBA Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment Directorate-General for the Environment and International Affairs (DGMI) Minstry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation (EL&I) Government of the Netherlands Directorate General for Nature and Regional Policy Ministry of Public Health and Social Development Department of Environment and Nature (MINA) Island Government of Aruba Independant country of the Knigdom of the Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs, Communications, Energy and Environment Directorate of Nature and Environment (DNM) Department of Economic Affairs, Commerce and Industry (DEACI) Department Environmental Statistics - collect and analyze information to provide integrative socio- economically and environmentally sound policy Ministry of General Affairs, Innovation, Sustainable Development and Science Disaster Prevention Department Ministry of Health and Sport Veterinary Service (CITES fauna authority) Ministry of Turism, Transport, Culture and Primairy Sector Department of Agriculture, Husbandry and Fishery (DLVVM) (CITES Flora authority) Ministry of Infrastructure, Physical Planning and Integration Department of Infrastructure and Planning Public Works Department Institutions and companies

SELIMAR The publicly-owned company SELIMAR collects, transports and disposes of all solid waste including bulky household waste and car wrecks. SELIMAR reports to the environmental minister. Institution that collects and analyzes information to provide integrative socio-economically and Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) environmentally sound policy NGOs The NGO manages the National Park and is in charge of biodiversity conservation, outreach and communication events (46 members in 2012). The park is engaged with the local community through Fundacion Parke Nacional Arikok events and a Junior Ranger programme. The Fundation also acts as advisory body for projects that may impact the environment. DCNA supports nature conservation activities of national and local institutions which are responsible Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) for the conservation of nature, species and or management of protected areas and other areas of high natural value in the Dutch Caribbean. Local NGO with more than 300 members and a general nature awareness program. It organizes StimAruba educational nature walks, outreach events and participate to research on flora and fauna on the island.

FANAPA Fundacion Arubano pa Naturalesa y Parke (FANAPA - Aruba's Foundation for Nature and Parks) has been created in 1971 and is involved in the protection of nature and the environment in Aruba. This local NGO has been created in 2010 to ensure a sustainable use of marine resources and to strengthen the protection of the marine environment and wildlife. This NGO seeks to protect the Aruba Marine Park Foundation island's marine environement through the establishement of a marine park. The foundation concentrates efforts on the national lionfish control programme and the implementation of a new public mooring programme Aruba BirdLife Conservation Foundation Local NGO involved in bird monitoring.

Vogelbescherming.Nederland.2.BirdLife. Nongovernmental conservation organization associated to the International Organization BirdLife. International The NGO has a special focus on bird conservation and conduct surveys in the Dutch Caribbean. AMMF coordinates the protection of the Aruban wild dolphins at sea and collected data to evaluate Aruba Marine Mammal Foundation the need for a national conservation management plan and scientific research. Local NGO in charge of Aruba Turtle Protection Program. It aims to inform and educate local Turtugaruba Foundation residents and visitors on sea turtles and nesting activities.

Aruba Sustainable Development Aims to collaborate with local, regional and international partners in addressing barriers and Foundation challenges to the sustainable development in Aruba and other island communities around the globe. It is funded jointly by the Aruban and Dutch governments to administer development funds. Research institutions

IMARES UR Institute for Marine Resources and Ecosystem Studies based in Wageningen. Institute involved in scientific surveys and environmental monitoring in the Netherlands and Caribbean region.

NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute of Sea NIOZ is the national oceanographic institution for the Netherlands, it facilitates and supports research fundamental as well as applied marine research and education in the Netherlands and Europe. The Caribbean Marine Biological Institute has been created in 1955 in Curacao to manage the CARMABI protected areas and to provide facilities and logistical support to researchers and students. CARMABI is also involved in research programs on Aruba. Collaboration with Universities and Centro de Ecología, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Cientificas in Venezuela (bat monitoring) Research institutes - College of New Jersey (USA) for rattlesnake study Private sector This company is based in the USA and conducts bird population surveys on the island (Aruba Tern Applied.Ecological.Solutions.Inc. Project). Aruba Veterinary Service Participate to bird monitoring (IBA surveys) through funding and logistical support. Caribe.Alaska Participate to bird monitoring (IBA surveys)

8! ! BEST%III%'%Working%document% ! - A number of different non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been established to address different environmental concerns and focus upon marine environment, cetaceans, reptiles (sea turtles, snakes), and seabirds surveys.

! Major sources of funding (DCNA Annual report 2012)

Source of funding Amount (US$) (year) Beneficiaries Admission Fees/Service 337,068 (2011) Fundacion Parke Nacional Arikok - DCNA-Trust fund for the Dutch 129,500 (2011) Fundacion Parke Nacional Arikok Antilles: funds from Dutch Ministry of the Interior, Dutch Postcode Lottery Aruba Government's subsidies 1,434,334 (2011) Fundacion Parke Nacional Arikok Other incomes 29,363 (2011) Fundacion Parke Nacional Arikok Grants? Cf PNA European funding To be confirmed by PNA Funcation Parke Nacional Arikok

! Economic sectors and population (Central Bureau of Statistics) - The main economic activities are tourism and offshore banking. Oil refining has been a major economic activity but has stopped since 2013. About 1.5 million of tourists visit the island per year with 75% coming from the US. Construction continues to grow with hotel capacity reaching five times the 1985 level.

- Population: The population of Aruba has almost doubled since the 1960s. In 2014, about 107,394 inhabitants live on Aruba.

References

Barendsen, P., B. Boekhoudt, G. Boekhoudt, L. Carrillo, R. Derix, F. Franken, R.A. Odum, P. Portier, M. Sweerts!de Veer, R. van der Wal, and O. Byers (Editors). 2008. WildAruba Conservation Planning Workshop Final Report. IUCN/SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group: Apple Valley, MN.

Barmes, T., K. L. Eckert, and J. Sybesma. 1993. WIDECAST Sea Turtle Recovery Action Plan for Aruba (Karen L. Eckert, Editor). CEP Technical Report No. 25. UNEP Caribbean Environment Programme, Kingston, Jamaica. xiv + 58 pp.

Beek I.J.M. van, Debrot A.O. and Graaf M. 2012. Elasmobranchs in the Dutch Caribbean: current population status, fisheries and conservation. IMARES Wageningen University Research Report, 12p.

Brown A., Collier N., Debrot A., Del Nevo A. & Wells J. 2009. Dutch Caribbean. Pp 179 – 188 In C. Devenish, D. F. Díaz Fernández, R. P. Clay, I. Davidson & I. Yépez Zabala Eds. Important Bird Areas Americas - Priority sites for biodiversity conservation. Quito, Ecuador: BirdLife International. BirdLife Conservation Series No. 16.

Debrot A.O. 2006. Preliminary Checklist of Extant and Fossil Endemic Taxa of the ABC Islands, Leeward Antilles. CARMABI Report, 27p.

Debrot, A.O.; Graaf, M. de; Henkens, R.; Meesters, H.W.G.; Slijkerman, D.M.E. 2011. A status report of nature policy development and implementation in the Dutch Caribbean over the last 10 years and recommendations towards the Nature Policy Plan 2012 - 2017. IMARES Report C065/11.

Debrot, A.O.; Leon, R.; Esteban, N.; Meesters, H.W.G. 2013. Observations on the whale shark (Rhincodon typus) in the Dutch Caribbean. Caribbean Journal of Science 47 (2013)2-3, 344-349.

Del Nevo A. 2008. Aruba. Pp47-52. In: Wege, D. C. and Anadon-Irizarry, V. 2008. Important Bird Areas in the Caribbean: Key Sites for Conservation. BirdLife International.

Del Nevo A. 2009. An Assessment of Nesting Seabirds within San Nicolas Bay, Aruba, 2009. 53p.

Dow W., Eckert K., Palmer M. and P. Kramer. 2007. An atlas of sea turtle nesting habitat for the wider Caribbean region. WIDECAST Technical Report No.6, 73p.

Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance 2012a. DCNA Annual Report 2012, 82p.

Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance 2012b. Special Species List - Dutch Caribbean Key Conservation Species (December 2012)

Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance 2013. DCNA Multi Year Plan 2013-2017 ver.2013/003. 18p.

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Hulsman H. et al. 2008. Effect of introduced species and habitat alteration on the occurrence and distribution of euryhaline fishes in fresh- and brackish-water habitats on Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao (South Caribbean). Contributions to Zoology, 77(1): 45-52.

Luksenburg J.A. 2013. The Cetaceans of Aruba, southern Caribbean. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 1-14.

Mays S. 2007. International Aruba Island rattlesnake Studbook. 199p.

Meesters E., Slijkerman D., de Graaf M. & Debrot D. 2010. Management plan for the natural resources of the EEZ of the Dutch Caribbean. IMARES Wageningen Report N. C100/10, 93p.

Miller J.Y., Debrot A.O., Miller L.D. 2003. A survey of butterflies from Aruba and Bonaire and new records for Curaçao. Caribbean Journal of Science, 39(2): 170-175.

Nassar JM. And Simal F. 2014. Studying Bats & Cultivating Conservation on Aruba. BATS Magazine, 32(1).

Stapleton S., Nava M., Willis S., Miller N., Brabec B. 2013. Research and Monitoring of Bonaire’s Sea Turtles: 2013 Technical Report. Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire. 29p.

UICN Redlist http://www.iucnredlist.org/ (Data of September 2014)

van Beek I.J.M., Debrot A.O., Walker P.A. and Kingma I. 2014. Shark protection plan for the Dutch Caribbean EEZ. Imares Wageningen UR Report number C209/13, 96p + app.

van Buurt G. 2006. Conservation of amphibians and reptiles in Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire. Applied Herpetology 3: 307-321. Williams S.R. 2012. Species Management Plan: Yellow-shouldered Amazon Parrot, Amazona barbadensis, Dutch Caribbean. 32p.

Williams S.R. 2012. Species Management Plan: Yellow-shouldered Amazon Parrot, Amazona barbadensis, Dutch Caribbean. 32p.

10! ! BEST%III%'%Working%document% ! App1. List of threatened species. References: UICN RedList, DCNA 2012b - Dutch Caribbean Species of High Conservation Value, Barendsen et al. 2008, Debrot et al. 2006, Luksenburg 2013, Nassar and Simal 2014, Structuurnota Natuur en Landscape 1996, van Buurt 2006) Amandine 8/25/2015 4:09 PM Taxonomic group Threatened species Comment [4]: Gisbert!Boekhoudt:!The!DNM!is! Plants working!on!a!list!to!be!presented!as!the!list!of! EN Melocactus stramineus, Guaiacum sanctum, Guaiacum officinale protected!flora!and!fauna!species!(as!they!are! endangered!or!valuable)!of!the!island!according!to!

Corals our!Nature!conservation!ordinancy.!The!list!is!still!a! CR Acropora cervicornis, Acropora palmata draft!and!we!are!hoping!that!it!will!be!aproved!this! EN Montastraea annularis, Montastraea faveolata year!by!our!national!advisory!board!and!the! VU Agaricia lamarcki, Dendrogyra cylindrus, Dichocoenia stokesii, Montastraea franksi, department!of!legislation!and!legal!affairs.! Mycetophyllia ferox Draft!is!presented!to!Aruba's!minister!of! Molluscs environment!and!to!the!council!of!ministers.! VU Conus hieroglyphus Crustaceans Amandine 8/25/2015 4:09 PM VU Arubolana imula Comment [5]: Where!does!this!species!occur!?! Fish within!the!4!areas!proposed!as!MPAs!?! CR Epinephelus itajara, Hyporthodus nigritus EN Epinephelus striatus, Pagrus pagrus, Thunnus thynnus VU Balistes vetula, Hippocampus erectus, Hyporthodus flavolimbatus, Hyporthodus niveatus, Hypoplectrus providencianus, Lachnolaimus maximus, Lutjanus analis, Lutjanus cyanopterus, Mycteroperca interstitialis, , Thunnus obesus, Scarus guacamaia, Batrachoides manglae, Makaira nigricans, Megalops atlanticus Amandine 8/28/2015 4:19 PM Sharks and rays Deleted: Mycteroperca venenosa EN Sphyrna mokarran, Sphyrna lewini VU Carcharhinus longimanus, Isurus oxyrinchus, Alopias vulpinus, Alopias superciliosus, Sphyrna zygaena, Manta birostris, Cetorhinus maximus (occ.) Rhincodon typus (occ.) Reptiles CR Eretmochelys imbricata EN Chelonia mydas, Caretta caretta (occ.) VU Dermochelys coriacea (occ.) Mammals VU Leptonycteris curasoae, Physeter macrocephalus (occ.)

* Occ., occasional species

11! ! BEST%III%'%Working%document% ! App2. Potential KBAs identified on the territory and justification.

N. Potential KBA Potential KBAs Justification Parke Nacional Arikok - Area of the National Park: highest biodiversity on the island

Plants - Presence of threatened and/or restricted-range plant species (Melocactus stramineus, Roughbark Lignum-vitae Guaiacum sanctum, Agave arubensis, A. rutteniae, Peltophorum acutifolium, Capparis linearis)

Reptiles - Presence of the endemic Aruban Rattlesnake (Crotalus unicolor), endemic Anole lizard (Anolis lineatus) and Aruba Leaf-toed Gecko (Phyllodactylus julieni) KBA 1

Birds - Presence of 2 endemic bird subspecies: Brown- throated Parakeet (Aratinga pertinax arubensis), Aruban Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia arubensis)

Mammals - Presence of the threatened bat species Curaçaoan Long-nosed Bat (Leptonycteris curasoae) - 5 out of 6 bat roosts occur within the National Park. - presence of the regional endemic Hummelinck's Vesper Mouse (Calomys hummelincki).

4 marine areas proposed - Presence of 9 threatened coral species as MPAs (in project) (Acropora cervicornis, A. palmata, Montastraea annularis, M. faveolata, Agaricia lamarcki, Dendrogyra cylindrus, Dichocoenia stokesii, Montastraea franksi, Mycetophyllia ferox) and 20 fish species (Epinephelus itajara, E. striatus, Pagrus pagrus, Thunnus thynnus, T. obesus, Balistes vetula, Hippocampus erectus, Hyporthodus flavolimbatus, H. niveatus, H. nigritus, Hypoplectrus providencianus, Lachnolaimus maximus, Lutjanus analis, L. cyanopterus, Mycteroperca interstitialis, M. venenosa, Scarus guacamaia, Batrachoides manglae, Makaira nigricans, Megalops atlanticus)

KBA 2 - Presence of threatened sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata, Chelonia mydas, Caretta caretta (occ.), Dermochelys coriacea (occ.))

- Presence of the threatened mollusc species Hieroglyphic Cone (Conus hieroglyphus) ?

- Connectivity between coral reefs and seagrass beds - Presence of mangroves (Savaneta, islet close to Oranjestad)

- Project to establish a MPAs - 1 of the 4 MPAs (on the eastern side) is

12! ! BEST%III%'%Working%document% ! contiguous to Parke Nacional Arikok.

San Nicolas Bay - IBA: congregatory bird species (10 species)

- Presence of the endemic Aruban Whiptail Lizard (Cnemidophorus arubensis) Amandine 8/25/2015 4:09 PM Oranjestad Reef Islands - IBA: presence of congregatory bird species: Comment [6]: This!species!occur!overall!the! Sandwich Tern (Sterna sandvicensis), Common island.! Tern (Sterna hirundo) Amandine 8/25/2015 4:09 PM Comment [7]: Is!there!also!important!population! Important areas for 3 coastal areas are reported as marine mammal of!Least tern (Sterna antillarum) in this IBA ?! marine mammals (mostly for dolphins) nursery, breeding and Included in KBA2 resting habitats (Directie Natuur en Milieu Aruba).

Spaans Lagoen - RAMSAR site - Bordered by dense mangroves - Important habitat for waterbirds and marine species (nursery area)

KBA 3 - coastal Mangroves Mangrove habitats are located along the areas westernside of the island.

Sea turtles nesting 8 areas are identified as important nesting areas beaches for sea turtles (Directie Natuur en Milieu Aruba)

Tanki Sabana & Lake - Presence of the restricted-range euryhaline Noord Ponds Molly fish species (Poecilia vandepolli)

Bubali area - IBA: presence of threatened species (American Coot - Fulica americana, LC) and biome- Amandine 8/25/2015 4:09 PM restricted bird species (Bare-eyed Pigeon - Comment [8]: The!IBA!criteria!by!themselves!will! Patagioenas corensis) (and 2 endemic bird sub- not!qualify!for!the!identification!of!a!KBA.! KBA 4 - inland ponds species) and terrestrial sites

- Presence of the restricted-range euryhaline Molly fish species (Poecilia vandepolli)

Lago Colony Cave Bat roost outside the delineation of Park Nacional Arikok.

Tierra del Sol Saliña - IBA identified with a biome-restricted species (Bare-eyed Pigeon - Patagioenas corensis) and a Candidate KBA threatened species (American Coot - Fulica americana, LC) Amandine 8/25/2015 4:09 PM Comment [9]: This!area!does!not!fulfill!the! selection!criteria!to!be!identified!as!a!KBA!per!se! (globally!threatened!species!VU\EN\CR!or!endemic! species)!

13! ! BEST%III%'%Working%document% ! Map of potential KBAs for Aruba

KBA 1 & KBA 2

Proposed!MPAs!

Marine!mammal!areas!

KBA!2!

KBA2! KBA!1! (IBA)!

KBA!2! KBA!2!

KBA2! (IBA)!

14! ! BEST%III%'%Working%document% ! KBA 3 - coastal and mangroves areas KBA4 - terrestrial habitats and ponds

Mangroves!

Nesting!beaches!

KBA4! Amandine 8/25/2015 3:57 PM Deleted: 2

KBA3! Amandine 8/25/2015 3:57 PM Deleted: 2

15! ! BEST%III%'%Working%document% ! The 4 KBAs and the candidate KBA

Candidate!KBA!

16! !